Latest updates for Southwark businesses affected by COVID-19 - 20 July 2020
Southwark Council sent this bulletin at 20-07-2020 03:31 PM BST
Welcome to this latest update for Southwark businesses affected by COVID-19. Please continue to share these updates with your local business networks. For comprehensive information on available support check our business pages regularly.
Help to supporting your staff with their wellbeing
The COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly made many people more stressed and anxious. Your staff may have had to take on new roles or adjust to very different working arrangements, and most people will have had concerns about their own safety and that of family and friends.
Whilst everyone reacts differently to events there are things that you can do to support all your staff in taking care of their mental health.
If you are looking for reliable sources of information and support for your staff, the following links may helpful to you:
Able Futures This Department of Work and Pensions service is free and confidential and offers a mental health support service to all employed staff to help with low to moderate stress, depression and other mental health issues. Employers can partner with Able Futures to promote the service to staff more effectively. Find out more here
The following organisations have good coronavirus-related advice:
And for more general advice and resources relating to anxiety, low mood, stress and sleep for Londoners try the Good Thinking website at https://www.good-thinking.uk/
If you’d like more information on supporting the health and wellbeing of your employees, contact Ginette.hogan@southwark.gov.uk
Southwark Stands Together
Share your experiences at two events in July
Southwark Stands Together is a borough wide initiative led by Cllr Johnson Situ, Cabinet Member for Growth and Planning in response to the killing of George Floyd and the injustice and racism experienced by Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.
We will be holding two participatory events to explore the impact of racism, injustice and inequality relating to employment and business. We want to hear about the lived experiences of residents and business owners from BAME backgrounds, to unpack the grievances that have been brought to the forefront by the Black Lives Matter movement as well as the health inequalities highlighted by COVID-19. As a council we want to understand what needs to change and how Southwark can stand together to deliver a fairer and more equal society.
Please register to reserve your space at either or both events:
Thursday 23 July 6pm-7.30pm
This session aims to explore the impact of racism, injustice and equality in relation to employment opportunities and provides an opportunity for residents from BAME backgrounds to share their experiences.
Thursday 30 July 6pm-7.30pm
This session aims to explore the impact of racism, injustice and equality experienced by BAME-led businesses and provides an opportunity for BAME-led businesses to share their experiences. We are particularly interested to hear from small and micro businesses.
New £18.7million grant fund for social entrepreneurs
Grants of between £10k and £300k are being made available to social enterprises via The Social Enterprise Support Fund. The first round of applications is open now and closes on Monday 20 July. The second round will open in August. Please visit the website for full details and to apply.
Thank you
If you have any questions we are available to help at SouthwarkBusinessDesk@southwark.gov.uk